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Good Little Ship: Arthur Ransome, Nancy Blackett and the Goblin
Generations of children and their parents have delighted in Arthur Ransome's series of twelve "Swallows and Amazons" books, but one of them stands out from the rest as being of a different order altogether. "We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea" is both larger of theme and tighter of plot; it is a rite-of-passage tale quite unlike the others, and in describing the experiences of its protagonist John it illuminates much of Ransome's own psychology.
"Good Little Ship" is a blend of literary criticism, maritime history and sheer celebration. Peter Willis combines an analysis of a classic of maritime literature ("a book of which Conrad would have been proud" – Hugh Brogan) with the story of the Nancy Blackett, Ransome's own boat which appears as the Goblin in his story. He describes her life, near-death and restoration, and her renaissance as an ambassador for Ransome and his tales.
"Good Little Ship" is a blend of literary criticism, maritime history and sheer celebration. Peter Willis combines an analysis of a classic of maritime literature ("a book of which Conrad would have been proud" – Hugh Brogan) with the story of the Nancy Blackett, Ransome's own boat which appears as the Goblin in his story. He describes her life, near-death and restoration, and her renaissance as an ambassador for Ransome and his tales.
218 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2017
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May 1, 2019
Repetitive in places due to poor editing. It’s as if the chapters were written separately at long intervals and then put together with no one reading for continuity.
Nevertheless it was a nice review of Arthur Ransome’s “We didn’t mean to go to sea” one of my favourite books as a child. My brother won it as a book prize at school in the 1940s.
The book can be a little boring with stories of short sails by a never ending chain of enthusiasts none of whom are developed as characters.
Nevertheless it was a nice review of Arthur Ransome’s “We didn’t mean to go to sea” one of my favourite books as a child. My brother won it as a book prize at school in the 1940s.
The book can be a little boring with stories of short sails by a never ending chain of enthusiasts none of whom are developed as characters.
Displaying 1 of 1 review